Emergency exit door lock



Sept. 24, 1963 M. B. CUTLER 3,104,539

EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR LOCK Filed Sept. 7, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. NHRv/N B. CUTLER BY Mgo/v, SETTLE (Zea/0 ,47'7'ORNEl j Sept. 24, 1963 CUTLER EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR LOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 7, 1962 R E o E E V EN m C L a N fi Ni Sept. 24, 1963 M. B. CUTLER EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR LOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. '7, 1962 W. U 4 W H v ww M550 .SETTLE 2 CRAIG United States Patent 3,164,539 EMERGENCY EMT DGGR LGCEK Marvin l3. Cutler, 26917 McDonald, Dearhorn Township, Mich. Filed Sept. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 221396 6 Claims. (Ci. 7092) The present invention relates to an emergency exit door lock, and more particularly to a lock which will serve in a normal key-operated manner but which also may be operated without a key in the event of an emergency.

Fire ordinances and insurance rules frequently require that doors or commercial buildings be at all times openable from the inside without the use of a key. On the other hand, it is desired from the standpoint of management of ccmmerical buildings that some doors be openable only by the use of a key in order to prevent unauthorized entry and exit, which frequently leads to theft of merchandise or other goods within the building.

in order to compromise these opposing interests, it has been proposed in the past to provide a lock which is normally key operated but which also has means thereon for operation without a key in the event of an emergency. The emergency opening mechanism has frequently been provided with some means for indicatingv that the emergency means has been used. For example, a glass pane has been provided which must be broken in order to operate the emergency release mechanism. The broken pane is evidence that the lock has been operated by the emergency mechanism. Alarm means have also been proposed. The alarm means are set off when the emergency release mechanism is utilized to thus apprise management that the emergency means has been operated.

The lock mechanisms proposed in the past have in general performed adequately but have sullered from incorporating complicated structures which has led to undesirable high prices. Additionally, the complication of the structures has, in some cases, led to failure under the rough usage to which such locks are subjected. The present invention provides an emergency exit door lock which is of relatively simple construction and which can be subjected to hard usage without failure.

it is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an emergency exit door lock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lock which is normally key operated but which may be operated by a release mechanism without a key during an emergency.

A further object of the invention is to provide an. emergency exit door lock which will leave evidence after each operation thereof by the emergency release means that the emergency means has been used.

Another object of the invention is to provide an emergency exit door lock in which the key must be used and the outer casing must be removed after actuation thereof by the emergency release means in order to reset the lock and replace a pane of glass which is broken during operation of the emergency release means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a lock which is of relatively simple construction and in which the parts are so arranged and fabricated as to materially reduce the incidence of failure of the lock during rough usage.

Other objects of tits invention shall appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts in the several views.

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In the drawings: I

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of an emergency exit door lock according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view in perspective of the lock of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the lock mechanism with the front plate of the casing removed to show the structure of the lock elements;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevationalview of the structure shown in FIGURE 3 with a portion of the casing broken away showing the configuration thereof when the bolt is retracted by the key;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the lock configuration when the bolt is extended by use of the key; and

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing the configuration of the lock when the bolt is retracted by the emergency release means.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, it will be seen that the lock it is mounted on a door 12. A striker plate 14 is mounted on the door frame 1d. The striker plate has a recess 13 to receive the bolt 20 of the lock 10. A key operated cylinder 22 is provided for normal actuation of the lock. A pivotal arm 24 is provided exteriorly of the lock for depression in the event or" an emergency to retract the bolt Zllwithout the use of a key.

The lock it) includes an outer casing comprising one member 26 which is secured to the door 12 by screws 23. A second outer casing member St is provided for attachment to the member 26. A lock structure 32 is secured within the outer casing. As will be noted, the lock structure 32, has a casing 34 including a removable cover plate 36 which is secured to a second casing member 38 by screws 4s.

The casing member 33 includes a vertical front plate 42 through which the bolt 29 extends. A protective cover plate 44 is mounted on the plate 42 by screws 46.

The outer casing member Bill has a peripheral side wall 48 which encloses the lock structure 32. The side wall 48 is recessed at 59 to receive the plate 44. This recess defines a pair of wall portions 52, 54 each of which is provided with an opening 56. The openings 56 register with respective openings 58 in the plate 42. A pair of screws 6% are received through the openings 56, 58 and threadingly engage openings 62 provided in a pair of brackets 64, 66 which are secured to the casing member 26. A third screw 68 extends through an opening in the :back portion of casing side wall 48 into threading engagement with an opening in an upstanding flange 10 on the casing member 26. The screws 60, 68 secure the assembly together. These screws must be removed in order to disassemble the structure for resetting the emergency release means as will be described hereinafter. The number of screws has been kept at a minimum in order to permit easy disassembly of the lock 10" for resetting. However, it does take a reasonable amount of time to disassemble the lock ltl. An unauthorized person who attempted to utilize the emergency release means and then reset the device would be likely to be observed while attempting to reset the mechanism. This knowledge acts as a deterrent to the unauthorized person.

FlGURE 3 illustrates the locking mechanism contained within the casing 34. The bolt is mounted for reciprocation within the casing. As shown in FIGURE 3, the bolt is extended for engagement with the striker plate. The bolt has a U-shaped portion 72 which is received on a guide member 74 which extends from the casing member 38. The guide member 74 serves to guide the bolt 2%? in its reciprocal motion. A spring 76 is provided within U-shaped portion 72 and extends between the guide member 74 and the surface 78 of the bolt. A pin 8t) extends from the surface 78 to position the spring 76. The spring 76 constantly urges the bolt to the extended position shown.

Key operated means are provided to retract the bolt within the casing 34 to a position out of engagement with the striker plate. The key operated means comprise the conventional lock cylinder 22 which, as shown in FIG- URE 2, extends through an opening 84 in the outer casing member into threading engagement with a threaded opening 86 in the plate 36 of casing 34. The cylinder 22 is provided with a pair of axially extending grooves 88, 90 in the outer periphery thereof. After the cylinder has been threaded into the casing the desired distance, one of the grooves is positioned to receive the outer end of element 92 to thereby prevent the cylinder from turning. The element 92 is moved into and out of engagement with the cylinder by means of a screw 94. The screw 94 threadingly engages an opening in wall portion 96 of the element 92. The screw 94 is secured against axial movement by means of a pair of spaced apart ring elements 98, 100 which define a shank portion 102. The shank portion 182 is received in a recess 104- of an element 186 which is secured to the casing member 38. The ring elements 98, 190 are received on either side of the element 1% to thereby prevent axial movement of the screw 94. Consequently, when the screw 94 is threaded into or out of the wall portion 96, the element 92 will move into or out of engagement with the cylinder 22 as the case may be.

The cylinder 22 has a paddle 108 provided on the inner end thereof. The paddle is rotatably mounted on the cylinder and rotation thereof is accomplished by means of a key inserted into key opening 118 as is conventional. The paddle 108, when rotated, extends beyond the outer periphery of the cylinder 22. Movement of the paddle in one direction is operative to retract the bolt 20 and movement of the paddle in the opposite direction is operable to extend the bolt as will be apparent hereinafter.

A linkage, comprising a pair of cam members 112, 114 is provided between the paddle 108 and the bolt 20 for retracting the bolt. The cams are pivotally mounted on pins 116, 118 which are secured to casing member 38. The cams 112, 114 are retained on the pins 116, 118 by means of a plate 120 which is secured to the pins and positioned over the cams. As may be seen in FIGURE 3, the cam 112 has a finger 122 which extends outwardly from the cam. The finger 122 is cammingly engaged by the paddle 108 when the paddle is pivoted clockwise as viewed in FIGURE 4. The cam 112 has a second finger 124 which cammingly engages a recess 126 provided in the cam 114. The earn 114 has a finger 128 which cammingly engages a projection 130 provided on the bolt 20. Rotation of the paddle 108 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4- is effective to pivot the cam 112-in a counterclockwise direction, the cam 112 in turn pivoting the cam 114- in the clockwise direction to retract the bolt 28 as shown.

When the bolt is retracted, it is locked in the retracted position by a locking element 132. The element 132, which is formed of strip metal, has a first arm portion 134, one end 136 being formed into a ring and rotatably received on a pin 138 which extends from casing member 38. The other end 140 is bent at approximately a right angle to the portion 134'. As shown in FIGURE 3, a torsion spring 142 is provided to pivotally urge the element 132 into abutment with the cam 112. One end of turned end 1457. The curved portion 146 serves to permit disengagement of the element 132 from the cam 112 for extension of the bolt 20, As shown in FIGURE 5, when the paddle 108 is turned in the counterclockwise direc-.

tion, it cammingly engages the curved portion 1.46, causing the locking element 132 to pivot in the counterclockwise direction and disengage the cam 112. The spring 76 is then effective to drive the bolt 20 into its extended position. Extension of the bolt is effective to pivot the cams 112, 114 to their initial positions. A torsion spring 148 is provided to urge the cam 112 to the position shown in FIGURE 5 to prevent unwanted engagement thereof with the locking element 132. The spring 148 is mounted on a pin 15s which extends from the casing element 38.

One end of the spring engages wall portion 154 and the other end. engages a projection 156 on the cam 112 as may be seen in FIGURE 3. A leaf spring 158 is also provided to maintain the cam 114 in the position shown in FIGURE 5. One end of the spring 158 is retained by a pair of pins 160, 162 which extend from the casing member 38. The other end of the spring 158 is provided with a bump 164. A projection 166 is provided on the cam 114 When the cam 114 is pivoted'to the position shown in FIGURE 5, the hump 164 of the spring engages the projection 166 of the cam to thus maintain the earn 114' in the position shown. The spring 158 prevents unwanted pivoting of the cam 114- which could occur, for example, when the door is slammed shut with s Such unwanted piv-' the bolt 20 in the extended position. oting of the cam could potentially cause engagement of the end 1411 with the slot 144 of the cam 112 to retain the bolt 20 in the retracted position when it is supposed to be in the extended position.

The emergency release means for retracting the bolt- 20 are best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 6. A striker arm 168 is provided and has one portion 170 exterior of the casing 314- and a second portion 172 extending at approximately right angles thereto through an opening in V the casing 34 and terminating therewithin. A striker plate 174 is provided at the outer end of portion 170'. A coil spring 176 extends between the plate 174 and the outer casing. The spring 176 serves to prevent depression of the striker arm 168 except by a direct force applied to the striker plate 174. This prevents actuation of the emergency release means by, for example, pounding on the door on which the lock is mounted.

The inner end 178 of the striker arm portion 170 is bent in a U-shape. The end 178 is received in a recess 18!) provided in a slidable locking member 182. The member 182 has a cylindrical end portion 184 which is slidably received in an opening provided in a projection 186 mounted on the plate 42. The other end of the locking member 182 is slidingly received in a recess 188 provided in a guide wall 190 which extends from casing member 38. A torsion spring 192 is mounted on a pin 194 i and hasone end in engagement with the locking mernher 182 and the other endin abutment with the guide in a wall 198 to thereby urge the locking member 182 direction away from the projection 186. a

Spring urged cams 1%, 198 are provided to retract the bolt 20 upon actuation of the emergency releasemeans. I The earns 1.96, 198 are normally restrained from retracting the bolt 20 by the locking member 182. The cam 196 is rotatably mounted in the casing 34 by means of a cylindrical portion 200 which extends between open- I When the cam 112 is pivoted to the ings in the plate 36 and easing member 38. Each end of the portion 290 is provided with a slot 262 for rotation of the cam 196 exteriorly of the casing 34. A torsion spring 204 is provided to urge the cam 196 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 6. One end 206 of the spring 264 is received in a slot 202 and the other end engages a pin 298 extending from the casing member 38. The cam 196 has an car 210 which is normally engaged by the outer end of the locking member 182 to restrain the cam 196 against rotation. The cam 196 has a second ear 212 which engages the cam 198. The cam 198 is rotatably mounted on the pin 298. A plate 214 is provided to retain the spring 284 in engagement with the pin 208. The plate 214 is mounted on the pin 298 and a second pin 216 which extends from the cam 198.

The cam 198 has a finger portion 218 which cammingly engages wall portion 229 provided on the inner end of the bolt 29. An upturned portion 222 is provided on the end of finger 218 and has an opening therethrough for the reception of one end of a rod 224'. The rod 224 has one portion 226 which extends beneath the bolt 20. A second portion 228 is bent at approximately right angles to portion 226 and extends through an eye mem ber 230 provided on the cam 114. The portion 228 has an upturned end 234 to engage the member 230'. The portion 228 extends through a recess 236 provided in a guide member 238 to guide the portion 228 in a path substantially parallel to the path of the bolt 20.

In operation of the emergency release mechanism, the arm 24 on the outside of the lock is depressed against the action of coil spring 240. The free end 242 of the arm registers with an opening 244 provided in the outer casing member 30. A pane of glass 246 mounted in a pair of brackets 248 normally closes the opening 244. However, if the arm 24 is depressed with sufiicient force, the end 242 will shatter the glass and move towards the striker plate 174. Depression of the striker plate 174 by the end 242 causes depression of the striker arm portion 170- and pivoting of the portion 172. As shown in FIGURE 6, the portion 172 will abut against the guide wall 190 with the result that the end 178 thereof will pivot in a direction to move the locking member 182 out of engagement with the cam 196. The cam 196, being thus free to move, is pivoted by the spring 294 and pivots cam 198 in a direction to retract the bolt 20.

The cam 19% carries the rod 224 with it during pivoting. After the rod 224 has moved a short distance, the upturned end 234 will engage the member 230 and cause pivoting of the cam 114 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 6. Cam 114 in turn causes counterclockwise pivoting of the cam 112. The locking element 132 is then free to move under the force of spring 142 to position the end portion 140 in the recess 144 of cam 112 to thus fix the bolt 2t} in the retracting position.

The retraction of the bolt 20 and breaking of the glass 246 will apprise authorized persons that the emergency release means has been used. If there was no emergency :to warrant the use of the emergency release means, then proper investigatory steps may be taken to discover in what manner and for what purpose the bolt was retracted. In order to reset the lock, it is necessary to disassemble the outer casing in order to insert a blade, such as a screw driver, in the slot 2&2 of the cylindrical portion of the cam 196 in order to return this cam to its initial position and to replace the broken pane of glass. The bolt 2%} is then extended by key actuation of the cylinder 22. Should an unauthorized person disassemble the lock in order to replace the pane of glass and reset the cams 196, 198, he would still not return the lock to its intial position because it is necessary to have a key in order to cause the bolt 20 to be extended. It would therefore be necessary to disassemble the inner casing 34 to cause the bolt 20' to be extended and return the mechanism to its initial position. The accomplishment of this would require too much time to be unobserved by persons in the area of the lock. Therefore, as a practical matter, the unauthorized use of the emergency release means will always leave evidence to warn authorized persons. The knowledge of the evidence which will be left is normally sulficient deterrent against unauthorized use of the emergency release means.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An emergency exit door lock comprising a housing, a bolt slidably supported in the housing, spring means urging said bolt to a position projected through an opening in the housing for engagement with a striker plate, first bolt retracting means, key-operated means effective when moved in one direction to actuate the first bolt retracting means to retract the bolt, spring-biased retainer means operative to engage the first bolt retracting means when the bolt has been retracted, said keyoperated means being effective when moved in the other direction to disengage the retainer means from the first bolt retracting means to release the bolt for movement to its projected position, second spring-biased bolt retracting means, latch means to normally engage and retain the second bolt retracting means from retracting the bolt, an actuator accessible from the exterior of the housing operable upon actuation to disengage the latch means to release the second bolt retracting means for retraction of the bolt, means connecting the second bolt retracting means with the first bolt retracting means to move the first bolt retracting means into engagement with said retainer means, and reset means within the housing for positioning the second bolt retracting means in its latched position, whereby it is necessary in order to project the bolt after actuation of the secondbolt retracting means to disassemble the housing and also actuate the key-operated means.

2. An emergency exit door lock comprising a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, a bolt slidably supported in the second housing, spring means urging said bolt to a position projected through an opening in the housings for engagement with a striker plate, first bolt retracting means, key-operated means effective when moved in one direction to actuate the first bolt retracting means to retract the bolt, spring-biased retainer means operative to engage the first bolt retracting means when the bolt has been retracted, said keyoperated means being effective when moved in the other direction to disengage the retainer means from the first bolt retracting means to release the bolt for movement to its projected position, second spring-biased bolt retracting means, latch means to normally engage and retain the second bolt retracting means from retracting the bolt, an actuator accessible from the exterior 'of the first housing operable upon actuation to disengage the latch means to release the second bolt retracting means for retraction of the bolt, means connecting the second bolt retracting means with the first bolt retracting means to move the first bolt retracting means into engagement with said retainer means, and reset means within the first housing for positioning the second bolt retracting means in its latched position, whereby it is necessary in order to project the bolt after actuation of the second bolt actuating means to disassemble the first housing and also actuate the key-operated means.

3. An emergency exit door lock comprising a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, a

bolt slidably supported in the second housing, spring means urging said' bolt to a position projected through an opening in the housings for engagement with a striker plate, first bolt retracting means, key-operated means effective when moved in one direction to actuate the first bolt retracting means to retract the bolt, spring-biased retainer means operative to engage the first bolt retracting means when the bolt has been retracted, said keyoperated means being effective when moved in the other direction to disengage the retainer means from the first bolt retracting means to release the bolt for movement to its projected position, second spring-biased bolt retracting means, latch means to normally engage and retain the second bolt retracting means from retracting the bolt, an actuator on the exterior of the first housing, said first housing having an opening therein normally closed by a frangible member, said actuator being movable to a position Where a portion thereof will frac ture the frangible member and pass into the first housing, a striker element Within the first housing operably connected to the latch means, said actuator being operable to actuate the striker element to disengage the latch means to release the second bolt retracting means for retraction of the bolt, means connecting the second bolt retracting means with the first bolt retracting means to move the first bolt retracting means into engagement with said retainer means, and reset means within the first housing for positioning the second bolt retracting means in its latched position, whereby it is necessary in order to project the bolt and replace the frangible member after actuation of the second bolt retracting means to disassemble the first housing and also actuate the key-operated mews.

4. An emergency exit door lock comprising a housing, a bolt slida'bly supported in the housing, spring means urging said bolt to a position projected through an opening in the housing for engagement with a striker plate, first and second cam elements, key-operated means effective when moved in one direction to pivot the first cam element, said first cam element being operative, when pivoted, to pivot the second cam element, said second cam element being operative, when pivoted, to retract the bolt, spring-biased retainer means'operative to engage the first cam element when the bolt has been retracted, resilient means normally restraining the first and second cam elements against bolt retracting movement, said keyoperated means being effective when moved in the other direction to disengage the retainer means from the first cam element to release the bolt \for movement to its projected position, second spring biased bolt retracting means, latch means to norm-ally engage and retain the second bolt retracting means from retracting the bolt, an actuator accessible from the exterior of the housing operable upon actuation to disengage the latch means to release the second bolt retracting means for retraction of the bolt, means connecting the second bolt retracting means with the second earn element tomove the first and second cam elements into engagement with said retainer means, and reset means Within the housing for positioning the second bolt retracting means in its latched element having a projection thereon, spring means biasing the projection towards the first cam element, a recess in the firs-t cam element to receive the projection, said projection and recess being in registry when the first cam element is pivoted to a position to retract the bolt whereupon the pnojection is biased into the recess to engage the first cam element, said pivotal element having a cam element engaged by the key-operated means whenmovcd in said other direction to disengage the projection from the first cam element. i

6. An emergency exit door lock comprising a housing, a bolt slidably supported in the housing, spring means urging said bolt to .a position projected through an opening in the housing for engagement with a striker plate,

first bolt retracting means, key-operated means effective when moved in one direction to actuate the first bolt re tracting means to retract the bolt, spring-biased retainer means operative to engage the first bolt retract-ingmeans When the bolt has been retracted, said key-operated means being effective When moved in the other direction to disengage the retainer means from the first bolt retracting means to release the bolt for movement to its projected position, second bolt retracting means comprising first and second cam elements, a spring biasing the first c-am element into camming engagement with the second cam element, latch means to normally engage and retain the first cam element from pivoting into engagement with the second cam element, an actuator accessible from the exterior of the housing operable upon actuation to disengage tthe latch means from the first cam element, said t first cam element being effective when released to cam the second cam element into engagement with the bolt,

said second cam element being effective to retract the bolt, means connecting the second cam element with the first bolt retracting means to move the first bolt retract ing means into engagement with said retainer means, and reset means within the housing for positioning the second bolt retracting means in its latched position,. whereby it is necessary in order to project the bolt after actuation of the second bolt retracting means to disassemble the housing and also actuate the key-operated means.

References Qited in the file of this patent Y UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,789,527 Davis Apr. (23, 1957 TATES PATENT OFFICE OF CORRECTION September 24,

- UNITED s CERTIFICATE Patent No.

Marvin B Cutler he above numbered patpears in t Patent should read as It is hereby certified that error ap ent requiring correction and that the said Letters corrected below.

" insert first bolt Column 7, line 28, after plate ising pivotaily mounted retracting means compr- EDWARD J BRENNER (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER ssioner of Patents Commi Attesting Officer 

1. AN EMERGENCY EXIT DOOR LOCK COMPRISING A HOUSING, A BOLT SLIDABLY SUPPORTED IN THE HOUSING, SPRING MEANS URGING SAID BOLT TO A POSITION PROJECTED THROUGH AN OPENING IN THE HOUSING FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH A STRIKER PLATE, FIRST BOLT RETRACTING MEANS, KEY-OPERATED MEANS EFFECTIVE WHEN MOVED IN ONE DIRECTION TO ACTUATE THE FIRST BOLT RETRACTING MEANS TO RETRACT THE BOLT, SPRING-BIASED RETAINER MEANS OPERATIVE TO ENGAGE THE FIRST BOLT RETRACTING MEANS WHEN THE BOLT HAS BEEN RETRACTED, SAID KEYOPERATED MEANS BEING EFFECTIVE WHEN MOVED IN THE OTHER DIRECTION TO DISENGAGE THE RETAINER MEANS FROM THE FIRST BOLT RETRACTING MEANS TO RELEASE THE BOLT FOR MOVEMENT TO ITS PROJECTED POSITION, SECOND SPRING-BIASED BOLT RETRACTING MEANS, LATCH MEANS TO NORMALLY ENGAGE AND RETAIN THE SECOND BOLT RETRACTING MEANS FROM RETRACTING THE BOLT, AN ACTUATOR ACCESSIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSING OPERABLE UPON ACTUATION TO DISENGAGE THE LATCH MEANS TO RELEASE THE SECOND BOLT RETRACTING MEANS FOR RETRACTION OF THE BOLT, MEANS CONNECTING THE SECOND BOLT RETRACTING MEANS WITH THE FIRST BOLT RETRACTING MEANS TO MOVE THE FIRST BOLT RETRACTING MEANS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RETAINER MEANS, AND RESET MEANS WITHIN THE HOUSING FOR POSITIONING THE SECOND BOLT RETRACTING MEANS IN ITS LATCHED POSITION, WHEREBY IT IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO PROJECT THE BOLT AFTER ACTUATION OF THE SECOND BOLT RETRACTING MEANS TO DISASSEMBLE THE HOUSING AND ALSO ACTUATE THE KEY-OPERATED MEANS. 